Unions warn premier over privatisation

23 June 2009

Unionists have warned Premier Anna Bligh they will continue to hound the Queensland government over its decision to privatise $15 billion worth of assets right up to the next election.

Unions have begun a campaign of rallies and media advertising to try to stop the sale of public assets, including the Port of Brisbane and Queensland Rail's coal freight business.

Electrical Trades Union state organiser Peter Simpson said power and water utilities would be next if the government proceeded with its plans.

Mr Simpson said unions had committed "a substantial amount of money" towards the campaign.

"This isn't going to be a two-week campaign, this is going to be a two-and-a-half year campaign from our side," he told AAP.

He conceded there was little chance of stopping the sell-off, but said unions planned to punish Ms Bligh's government for the decision come the 2011 election.

"She's already passed the legislation on Friday so I suggest it's going to be a fairly difficult campaign, but we will take it right up until the next election so she remembers the mistakes she made," he said.

However, Mr Simpson said the union would not be suggesting voters back the Liberal National Party, which opposes what it calls a "fire sale".

About 50 unionists attended a rally outside Local Government Minister Desley Boyle's office in Cairns on Monday.

Another rally will be held in Townsville on Tuesday, with a bigger protest planned for Brisbane on July 3.

A spokesman for Treasurer Andrew Fraser said there were no plans to expand the asset sale program beyond those assets already nominated.

The spokesman said the government remained committed to the program.

Original article source: CCH News - http://www.cch.com.au/